A grave marker recognizing a longtime Oxford resident’s military service was recently stolen, leaving his family members upset and asking why.
‘It’s heart-breaking,? said Theresa Evans, of Waterford, step step-granddaughter of the late Dr. Charles Failing, who passed away in May 1981.
Failing was a well-known verterinarian in Oxford for many years. He used to own the Oxford Veterinary Hospital on Lincoln Street, behind the Sunoco gas station.
‘He was known as ‘Doc? here in town,? said Waterford resident Sharon Yerkes, step-daughter of Failing.
A veteran of World War II, Failing was discharged from his position as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army in June 1946.
A proud member of American Legion Post 108 and the Oxford Veterans Association (which is no longer in existence), Failing is buried alongside other family members in the Oxford Township cemetery on the south side of W. Burdick Street.
Yerkes said she noticed the bronze military marker denoting his service to his country, which laid flat on the ground in front of the Failing family headstone, was missing on Friday, Dec. 29.
‘Someone pried it up and took it,? Evans said.
‘I’m just really upset with the whole thing,? Yerkes said.
Military markers such as Failing’s are provided free of charge through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The 18-pound markers are 24 inches long, 12 inches wide with a ?-inch raise, according to www.cem.va.gov.
Failing’s marker was still at his plot on Dec. 16 when Yerkes? brother visited the cemetery to place grave blankets.
‘It disappeared somewhere in that time period,? Evans said.
The violation of Failing’s memory and final resting place has left a painful mark on his family.
‘Our whole family is basically shocked,? Yerkes said. ‘I’m out there quite a bit. Not to see his marker there has been very disturbing to me.?
‘Even though I was young when he passed, I still have very fond memories of him,? Evans said. ‘It’s very hurtful that someone could do this.?
A resident of Oxford for most his life, Failing graduated from Oxford High School and served on the village council.
‘He was a well-respected and well-liked man in the community, and it’s a shame that somebody did this,? Evans said.
Failing’s family isn’t the only one disturbed by the theft.
‘It just amazes me to think that somebody would do that to any veteran or any civilian,? said Duane Sprague, a close friend of Failing’s and past commander of Legion Post 108.
‘I’ll tell you what, anybody that takes anything from a cemetery ? something’s wrong with their head,? said Sprague, who personally installed Failing’s marker in 1981.
Yerkes and Evans reported the marker’s theft to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department’s Oxford substation. No other such thefts have been reported.
‘Was this a random thing or are other people missing their markers?? Evans said.
Yerkes said they are looking into having the stolen marker replaced.
Markers previously furnished by the government may be replaced at government expense if badly deteriorated, illegible, stolen or vandalized.
However, Yerkes and Evans would prefer it if the original one was simply returned.
‘No questions asked ? just bring it back,? Evans pleaded.
Anyone with information about the disappearance of Failing’s marker is asked to call the sheriff’s Oxford substation at (248) 969-3077.